Dear Newington families,

It has been a week where I have been privileged to see our boys modelling many of the characteristics we hold dear at Newington. Year 11 and 12 boys started their HSC and IB Trials last Friday and have been exceptional in their approach to these critical exams. For the most part, they have put the strange year that is 2020 to one side and stepped up with grit, determination and positivity. The boys should be proud of themselves. We certainly are.

I was similarly uplifted to see the response of the boys to the cancellation of sport fixtures last weekend. With competition games on hold, several sports decided to take an alternative approach: our Intermediate Cross Country team put themselves to the test with an aquathon, throwing swimming into their training mix. It was futsal instead of Football for several teams, and Tennis added music, special awards and a boys versus coaches match where one player from each side had to play with their non-dominant hand. Our winter sport teams continue to train hard and we will see competition fixtures back this weekend.

We have been working for some time to ensure the boys understand the importance of effort and a good attitude to their studies. The result is a new, formalised system of academic review that will be implemented for Years 7 to 10 in Term 4. I ask the parents of boys in those years to read this communication, which provides more detail.  

We continue to plan for Valedictory Day 2020 and if your son asks – yes, the tunnel will go ahead! We will communicate full details soon but our plans include both a chapel service for Year 12s and a live stream of the day’s events to Newington families.

Enjoy your weekend.